Expressed Prostatic Secretions

While you bend over or lie on your side or back, the doctor inserts
a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum and presses each side of the
prostate gland 6 or 7 times. The
urethra is then gently "milked" with a gloved finger.
The secretions are collected in a tube or on a swab.

The secretions are examined under a microscope for signs of
inflammation and are cultured in the lab to find out if bacteria are
present.

Results

Normal

Microscopic

Few or no white blood cells are seen when the sample is viewed
under a microscope.

Culture

No bacteria grow in the sample.

A negative culture may mean that the symptoms are caused by
chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome, inflammatory or
noninflammatory.

Abnormal

This may also be called a positive result.

Microscopic

White blood cells, pus cells, or other types of cells
that point to inflammation are seen when the sample is viewed under the
microscope.

Culture

Bacteria grow in the sample.

What To Think About

Your doctor may ask you to avoid ejaculation for 5
days prior to this test. This allows prostatic fluid to build up and prevents
an increase in the number of white blood cells in the prostate fluid, which
could interfere with test results.

The results of the test may help show which type of prostatitis
is causing your symptoms. But this test often fails to provide conclusive
evidence of the cause of symptoms.